Root Structure

Root exposure
When we examine the soil near the mangrove stand it is found
to be completely interpenetrated with roots to a depth of 50
cm or more. In the upper part of the soil, roots can make up
30% of the total volume. Live mangrove roots all have a white
outer layer of aerenchyma immediately below the root surface
and all roots have frequent connection to the air by means of
pneumatophores. The root systems of mangroves are very extensive
and live mangrove roots can by found far out in the salt marsh,
up to 30 metres from the base of the nearest tree!

The electron micrograph of segments
of pneumatophore (LH) and horizontal root (RH) show the tubular
structure of the aerenchyma (at)